Must-Watch Stocks to Capitalize on the Gig Economy Boom October 6, 2025

In fact, a drawdown of 20% in any given year isn’t unusual, and occasional drops of 40% or even more do happen. Stock investing means putting your money to work in publicly traded companies. Stock investing can allow you to own a piece of your favorite retailers, software providers, and much more. A share of stock represents a slice of ownership in a company and entitles the owner to benefit from its future profits. The evolving nature of the gig economy is evident in its projected growth.

Twice in the last few months I’ve been solicited by Shopify partners. I bought presents from a neighbor’s newsletter, who turned out to be a Shopify merchant, and was asked to set up a shopping account. Then I launched my own Substack newsletter and was solicited to become a Shopify merchant. Square’s value has exploded in the last year, rising over 340%, as revenue doubled during the pandemic.

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You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology. For example, some brokers offer customers a variety of educational tools. Some offer access to investment research and other features that are especially useful for newer investors. And some have physical branch networks, which can be nice if you want face-to-face investment guidance.

This gig-based structure enables them to operate either part-time or full-time, with income tied to the number of completed rides rather than a fixed salary or hourly wage. Earnings are influenced by factors such as trip distance, duration and overall demand for rides. Uber is another leading example of a company that skillfully utilizes the gig economy model to drive its operations. The platform connects passengers with drivers, engaging them as gig stocks independent contractors and offering both flexibility and on-demand work opportunities. Being a major player in the U.S. food delivery market, DoorDash maintains a dominant position. Its strategic alliances with major retailers such as ALDI, Sprouts, and Albertsons have broadened its scope to include rapid grocery and alcohol deliveries.

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But Dziekanski believes this only grows the market, making Spotify a must-have for millions, and giving gig workers access to a huge audience by recording on the platform. Square (SQ, $261.65), which accounts for 3.6% of GIGE’s assets, is Dziekanski’s top gig economy stock to buy at the moment. If you’re not sure about Uber, another sector of the gig economy may be a better fit. Some stock options to look for concern gig workers who want to use their skills outside the confines of a 9 to 5 job. Let’s start with arguably the biggest and most familiar name in the gig economy.

• It was conceived to give tourists things to do – tour guides or cooking classes, for example.
• One of the primary attractions of gig work lies in its freedom from rigid work schedules.
• As mentioned, stocks can be a great way to create wealth over time.
• Money you need to pay your kids’ tuition or pay day-to-day expenses in retirement should be kept in less-volatile investment vehicles.

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The majority of online stockbrokers have eliminated trading commissions for online stock trades. So, most (but not all) are on a level playing field as far as costs are concerned, unless you’re trading options or cryptocurrencies, both of which often have trading fees. A key point is that IRAs are highly tax-advantaged places to buy stocks. However, the downside is that it can be difficult to withdraw your money until you get older. On the other hand, if your goal is to build up a retirement nest egg, an IRA is a great way to go.

Can I invest $100 in stocks?

To do this, you’ll need a specialized type of account called a brokerage account. If you’re looking for some great beginner-friendly investment ideas, here is a list of some of our top stocks to buy and hold to help get you started. Note that this isn’t intended as personal advice — just some well-run businesses to help get your search started. A robo-advisor, also known as an automated investing platform, is a brokerage that invests on your behalf in a portfolio of index funds appropriate for your age, risk tolerance, and investing goals. Not only can a robo-advisor select your investments, but many will also optimize your tax efficiency and make changes over time automatically.

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The company is still only half the size of PayPal Holdings (PYPL), another GIGE name, which Dziekanski says means it can grow faster. Additionally, Square has expanded into a host of banking services, starting with loans to its users based on the data it collects. Get the latest news on investing, money, and more with our free newsletter. There’s also the user-friendliness and functionality of the broker’s trading platform to consider. Many will let you try a demo version before committing any money; if that’s the case, it can be well worth the time.

• The majority of its revenues comes from ridesharing services, where drivers pay fees and commissions to access the platform.
• It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.
• Earnings are influenced by factors such as trip distance, duration and overall demand for rides.

The primary considerations here are why you’re investing in stocks and how easily you want to be able to access your money. If you want easy access to your money or are just investing for a rainy day, you’ll probably want a standard brokerage account. The general idea is that as you get older, stocks become a less desirable place to keep your money. If you’re young, you have decades ahead of you to ride out any ups and downs in the stock market.

Stock investing mistakes to avoid

But over time, you’ll most likely enjoy excellent investment returns. These factors have been working wonders in terms of alleviating investor concerns surrounding gig economy stocks, a development that is leading to more investors being convinced to buy into these businesses. As a result, the popularity of these stocks is only going up, which is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best gig economy stocks to buy now. Both account types will allow you to buy stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs.

After 38 years of working from home, my workstyle is finally “in.” You might know it as the “gig economy.” If you’ve heard of Fiverr, you’re probably familiar with Upwork. While there are some differences, Upwork also is a place for freelance professionals to connect to work.

It was conceived to give tourists things to do – tour guides or cooking classes, for example. Dziekanski, however, recently attended a virtual party featuring a magician in Japan who was a former baker. The party was hosted on Zoom, but the magician was found and paid for through Airbnb Experiences. If you have skills and a computer, Airbnb lets you work from anywhere, changing location on a whim, says Dziekanski. Cash now also offers investing, competing with Robinhood, and supports the purchase of fractional shares and Bitcoin – all from the same mobile interface.